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WaterProofing Questions
Question? I live on a hill but when it rains I get water seeping into my basement. Why would this happen?
Answer: One reason that water commonly would enter lower basement level is because even though your home is located on high ground many times it has to do with ground percolation. For instance there could be ledge or clay like conditions below the surface. Water will not penetrate and when it rains hard enough or long enough and the ground water will seep in.
Question? I have a fairly new home. We never got water into my basement when we first moved in. However as years have gone by it seems every year we get more and more water. What happened?
Answer: Most of the time the builder has built home according building code. As the concrete foundation ages many things start to happen, the concrete dries out, settling takes place, expansion and contraction with the cold and warm weather, foundation cracking and each year depending on weather conditions you experience the effects.
Question? I have an older home and I have noticed the foundation wall partials on the floor and the walls peeling.
Answer: Many of the older foundations were built with inferior concrete or water behind the wall can cause deteriorating foundations.
Question? People tell me once you get water in your basement it can’t be fixed. Is that true?
Answer: Years past that may have been a fairly true statement, however, today there are better materials, product, and proven techniques that have changed that, as a matter of fact many of the problem solution come with a warrantee by reputable companies.
Question? Is the outside yard important.
Answer: Yes, in fact most building codes require the builder to slope land away from the home.
Ventilation Questions
Question? My basement is not like rest of the home, when the family goes down there as soon as they open the basement door, it smells like foul air. We would like to use the available space in the basement but we do not like the odor.
Answer: The basement is the lowest part of your home; cold, stagnant, moist, toxic air is the environment that gathers in many basements. This condition can eventually lead to mold conditions which could possible contribute and in some cases cause unhealthy conditions. A professional survey and corrective system can make a dramatic change.
Question? The air in my basement is smells musty and feels damp what can be done?
Answer: Most basements are closed off from the rest of the house and in any case the air is stagnant. We have an economical ventilation system once installed that can change that condition and make not only your basement but also the whole home healthier with no maintenance.
Question? When smoking cigars in the basement the smell lingers for days!!
Answer: We installed our ventilation system for a customer who had Friday night card games all his friends smoking cigars, we called him after installation he said the next day you can’t tell anyone smoked.
Question? Are there any health benefits from the ventilation system?
Answer: Some customers have had allergies, asthma, and other health issues and have told us they notice the breathing was better with installation of the ventilation system.
Question? How long will it take to install a typical ventilation system?
Answer: The typical installation is about two to four hours.
Question? How long until will it take for the ventilation system to take affect?
Answer: Twenty Four to Forty Eight hours (many customers have told us they noticed better air upon the day of installation)
BulkHead / Egress Window Questions
Question? I have a bulkhead with a concrete foundation. It leaks at the seams and at the bottom. The more it rains, snow melts, or springthaw, the more it leaks. I don’t get it every rain how come?
Answer: The foundation wall may have cracked or the seal shrunk when the rain blows against the house the rainwater will come through.
Question? I have a bulkhead door that has been there for 30 or 40 years. I have notice water coming in. It is now so bad I have put blue tarpaulin over the top to cover it with rocks and brick to hold it down. It makes the outside look terrible. I thought bulkheads last forever.
Answer: Actual 30 – 40 years is about right for service on a bulkhead door.
Question? I need a new cellar entry. The old unit needs to be replaced - access to the area is not great. Is it possible to have a new unit installed?
Answer: In most case yes we can install a new unit with a minimum access of only 5 ft.
Question? I have an old bulkhead - can I get parts for it?
Answer: Generally many parts are not available, some of the companies that made the bulkheads 40 years ago may be out of business and the newer door manufacture parts do not fit. Also if the bulkhead door is that old, you’ll fix today and pay again tomorrow. Its best to bite the bullet and replace the unit once and for all. But just think - now you get another 40 years trouble free.
Question? We use our basement for recreational purposes, computer, watching movie and sporting events, exercise, laundry, and often entertain in our newly remodeled basement. One of my concerns is the only way out of the basement is now by way of the cellar stairs from the upper level if something were to happen such as accidental fire what are the options so that we may have egress safely?
Answer: The two options would be an egress window or cellar entry system. An Egress Window would bring light into the room as well as a view to the scenery outside. If you needed a quick exit you slide the window and you're out. (Many homes make an extra room in the basement to make it legal by fire or building code you will need to have an Egress)
The other option is to install a Cellar Entry System complete with stairs and steel doors. Installation involves excavation, concrete cutting. Once the work is done you will feel happier and safer.
Question? We have only one way to get into the basement. We store summer time items for the winter and we have to bring them through the main house. Also our furnace had to be replaced and the oil man had to traffic in and out of the house. We no longer want to traffic through the house, how long would it take to add a Cellar Entry System?
Answer: Usually the work can be completed from start to finish in two to three days and ready to use.
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